Defense Attorney – A Glimpse into the Profession

Becoming a defense attorney requires years of hard work and a lot of sacrifices. One of the biggest and most important cornerstones of the criminal justice system in the country is everyone’s right to a fair trial. The job of a defense attorney requires experience, knowledge, and a lot of patience because the opposition lawyers will expose any chinks in the armor.

Featured Programs and Schools

Defense Attorney – Job Description

A defense attorney has to perform a lot of difficult and varied tasks, depending on the nature of the case and the facts in front of him. Some of the major job duties of defense attorneys are as follows:

  • Identifying and gathering evidence.
  • Judging their client.
  • Judging the facts of the case.
  • Judging the testimony of their clients.
  • Looking for weaknesses in their defense and eliminating them.
  • Looking for weakness in the opposing lawyer’s evidence.
  • Filing and drafting appeals.
  • Dealing with the press in case of high-profile cases.

Traits of a Defense Attorney

Defense attorneys should be great at a lot of different things at the same time. Some of them are:

  • Willing to spend long hours preparing a case.
  • Analyzing even the minutest of detail.
  • Making sure that the defense is airtight.
  • Should have a thick skin.
  • Should have patience.
  • Should have a great supporting team.
  • Should be able to think on their feet.
  • Should know the criminal justice system inside out.

Defense Attorney – The Requirements

Becoming a defense attorney involves a multi-step process of education, experience, and licensing. Here are the general steps you’ll need to take:

High School Diploma or Equivalent

The first step towards becoming a defense attorney starts with completing high school or equivalent education.

Bachelor’s Degree

Then, you will need to earn a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university. While there’s no specific pre-law major, many aspiring defense attorneys opt to study criminal justice, political science, or a related field.

Law School Admission Test (LSAT)

After obtaining a Bachelor’s degree, the next step is to prepare for and take the LSAT. This test is a requirement for admission into most law schools in the United States. It evaluates candidates’ reading comprehension, analytical reasoning, and logical reasoning.

Juris Doctor (JD) Degree

Once you’ve passed the LSAT, you will need to attend law school to earn your Juris Doctor degree. Law school typically takes three years of full-time study, and your courses will cover a broad spectrum of legal topics. As a future defense attorney, you may also choose to focus on courses that specialize in criminal law.

Internships and Practical Experience

During or after law school, aspiring defense attorneys often gain practical experience through internships at law firms, government agencies, or non-profit organizations. This experience can be invaluable for learning the practicalities of the legal system and beginning to build a professional network.

Pass the Bar Examination

After graduating from law school, you will need to pass the bar examination in the state where you wish to practice. This exam tests your knowledge of the law and your ability to apply it in practice.

State Admission

Once you pass the bar exam, you can apply for admission to the bar in your state. This process typically includes a background check and may also include a character and fitness review.

Maintain Continuing Legal Education (CLE)

After becoming a defense attorney, you’ll need to meet your state’s Continuing Legal Education requirements, which involve regularly taking courses to stay updated with changes and developments in the law.

Remember, these are general steps and the specific requirements may vary depending on the jurisdiction. Always check with the specific requirements set by your local and state legal and educational authorities.

Career Outlook of Defense Attorneys

The US Bureau of Labor Statistics presents a great future outlook for lawyers in the US. According to BLS, lawyers will experience a job growth of 10% from 2021 to 2031.

Where Can Defense Attorney’s Work?

Defense attorneys can find work in a variety of settings, depending on their interests, skills, and career goals. Here are some of the most common places where defense attorneys work:

Private Law Firms

Many defense attorneys work for private law firms, which can range from small boutique firms specializing in specific areas of law, to large, multinational firms that handle a wide variety of cases. In these settings, attorneys often represent individuals and corporations in criminal cases.

Public Defender’s Office

In the United States, individuals who cannot afford to hire a private attorney are provided legal representation by the government. These defense attorneys work in the public defender’s office. They handle a wide array of criminal cases and work to protect the rights of their clients.

Non-Profit Organizations

Some defense attorneys work for non-profit organizations that provide legal services to underserved populations. This can include organizations focused on certain types of law, such as civil rights or immigration law, as well as legal aid societies.

Solo Practice

Some defense attorneys choose to open their own law offices. This allows them maximum control over the cases they take on and the way their practice is run, but it also comes with the added responsibilities of running a business.

Government Agencies

Defense attorneys can also work for government agencies. For example, they might work for the state attorney’s office, the Department of Justice, or military legal services. These attorneys often work on cases that involve government interests.

Corporations

Some corporations employ in-house attorneys to handle a variety of legal matters, which could include criminal defense, particularly white-collar crime.

Educational Institutions

Defense attorneys may also work as professors or administrators in law schools, teaching future generations of lawyers and conducting scholarly research.

Each of these environments offers different opportunities and challenges, and the best fit for a particular defense attorney will depend on their individual interests, goals, and personality.

Salary of Defense Attorneys

As per the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, $163,770 was the mean annual salary of lawyers in the US in 2022. Their median annual income was $135,740. Below are the five highest paying US states for lawyers in 2022.

 

Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics

You May Also Like

Chase Student Loans
How to Become a CIA Agent
Exploring Criminal Justice Careers: A Comprehensive Guide